GADSDEN, Ala. – Jury selection is beginning in the capital murder trial of an Alabama woman accused of making her granddaughter run until she collapsed and died.
Court officials say about 300 potential jurors are due in court Tuesday for the trial of Joyce Hardin Garrard. Another 300 have been summoned for Thursday.
The 59-year-old Boaz woman is charged in the death of 9-year-old Savannah Hardin three years ago.
Prosecutors contend the woman made the child run for hours as a punishment for a lie about candy. The girl died three days later at a hospital.
Garrard says she's innocent, and the defense blames the child's death on other medical problems.
Would-be jurors will complete questionnaires during initial screening. The questioning of potential jurors and opening statements are set for next week.
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